Singing done properly should not hurt. What about getting one or two lessons specicially getting some coaching around this issue?

Maybe some lessons would help. Good breathing and diaphragm use shouldn’t make your back hurt. Bummer!

I would think that you need to be taught how to breathe properly. (And is your name “fathhippo” for any reason.)

Are there thin hippos?

Posture is very important when singing. You should be equally balanced on both feet, rib cage open, shoulders relaxed but not slouched, and chin flat as the floor. Also, make sure you’re filling your diaphragm when you breath. If your tummy is not inflating like a balloon every time you breath then you are doing it wrong. If anything is hurting it should be your stomach muscles, not your back.

It could also be that you need to build up your core muscles (lower back and abs), especially if you are standing and singing.

I do suggest voice lessons, at least until you have developed the correct posture and breathing.

that are the chairs the audience behind you threw at you ;)

@gailcalled it’s something about a joke surrounding my 30 year old bro overshadowing my sister’s wedding with his over enthusiastic hippo emulations… =\

@ragingloli that sounds about right =)

@fathippo: How exactly does a 30 year old male imitate a hippo? They are large but not very interesting, or haven’t I been paying enough attention?

I don’t think I want to know how he might emulate a hippo. Here are some common hippo traits that could be disturbing in a 30 yo male human:

“The hippo has neither sweat nor sebaceous glands but does have unique glands that produce a viscous red fluid, leading to the myth that hippos “sweat blood.” ”

“The large hippo is an aggressive animal; old scars and fresh, deep wounds are signs of daily fights that are accompanied by much bellowing, neighing and snorting.” Note: fights may last up to three hours.

“Hippos are unpredictable. If they are encountered away from the safety of water, anything that gets between them and their refuge may be bitten or trampled.”

Source One

“Adult bulls are extremely territorial, and one of the known ways used for demarcation of their territories, is their characteristic way of defecating, spraying the feces over a shrub or rock by a rapid flicking of their short tail.” Not at my wedding he wouldn’t.

Source Two

He did make quite an interesting job of it…
bellowing, neighing and snorting sound familiar
but thank god he had the decency to stop short of improper use of excrement… =\

@fathippo: He sounds like a charmer. What was your sister’s response?

@gailcalled luckily she was pretty preoccupied with getting married and general wedding stuff, so she missed his charming displays…
=)

Too bad no one caught it on video – it could be useful blackmail fodder in the future.

If you’re singing in front of a crowd I’d consider the posibility that it’s caused by tension due to nervousness.

Stop singing